Games People Play: Trouble

June 17th, 2007

When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.
-Mark Twain
 

Where did / do you get your wisdom from?

God Gives Us Permission To Make Choices 
 
Read Genesis 2:15-17
 
The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”
 
God gives us the ability and the responsibility to make effective choices and good decisions, just like God gave this ability to Adam. Adam had permission to do most things. Why do you suppose he decided to do the thing he wasn't supposed to do? 
 
"Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever." -Keri Russell
 

We think big decisions are the important decisions. How do daily decisions effect your life?

Six steps to wise decision making

1. Prayer – Asking God for Wisdom
 
Wisdom is the ability and desire to make healthy choices.

What do you think about part of wisdom being the "desire" to make healthy choices?
 
James 1:5
 
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
 
Acts 1:12-14 
 
Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying…They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
 
Do you think God hasn’t spoken or that you haven’t heard?
 
2. Develop a Biblical Worldview
 
Psalm 119:105
 
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
      and a light for my path.

 
When Craig told the story of the lit cross leading him to safety, what did you think?

How do you think the Scriptures could help you in your daily journey of life?

 
3. Think Long-Term, Not Short-Term 
 
Matthew 16:26
 
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

Why do we think short-term and not long-term?

How do we shift this thinking?

 
4. Discover the Facts
 
Proverbs 18:13
 
Spouting off before listening to the facts
      is both shameful and foolish.

How do facts helps us make good decisions?

What are some ways that we can collect facts that will help us make wise choices?

5. Be a Life-Long Learner
 
Proverbs 18:15
 
Intelligent people are always ready to learn.
      Their ears are open for knowledge.

What do you want to be doing to learn and grow as a person?

6. Examine Your Motives
 
Proverbs 21:2
 
People may be right in their own eyes,
      but the Lord examines their heart.

 
Four Questions We Must Ask
 
1. Is this the best and most beneficial course of action? (1 Corinthians 10:23)
 
2. Am I acting lovingly or selfishly? (1 Corinthians 10:28-31)
 
3. Does it glorify God? (1 Corinthians 10:31)
 
4. Will it cause somebody else to sin? (1 Corinthians 10:32)